Publisher Description

Age range 14+Chris Bellows is just trying to get through high school and survive being the only stepchild in the social-climbing Fontaine family, whose recently diminished fortune hasn't dimmed their desire to mingle with Upper East Side society. Chris sometimes feels more like a maid than part of the family. But when Chris's stepsister Kimberly begins dating golden boy J. J. Kennerly, heir to a political dynasty, everything changes. Because Chris and J. J. fall in love . . . with each other.
With the help of a new friend, Coco Chanel Jones, Chris learns to be comfortable in his own skin, let himself fall in love and be loved, and discovers that maybe he was wrong about his step-family all along. All it takes is one fairy godmother dressed as Diana Ross to change the course of his life.
My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen is a Cinderella retelling for the modern reader. The novel expertly balances issues like sexuality, family and financial troubles, and self-discovery with more lighthearted moments like how one rogue shoe can launch a secret, whirlwind romance and a chance meeting with a drag queen can spark magic and light in a once dark reality.

Author Biography

David Clawson attended the USC Graduate Screenwriting Program, where he received the Jack Oakie Comedy Writing Award, a 20th Century Fox Fellowship, and had his sitcom pilot, BALANCING ACTS, produced. David teaches screenwriting at the LMU School of Film and Television. This is his first novel.

Review

"Clawson clearly loves all of his characters, as they are eloquently drawn, with just as many reasons for readers to love them as faults. What ensues is a fast-paced, riotous, laugh-out-loud yet insightful story of secret love between two closeted gay teens, with Kimberly unknowingly serving as J.J.'s beard. —Kirkus Reviews

"A classic coming-of-age tale with a twist, My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen is funny, touching, and timely. Clawson explores issues like first love and fitting in with the ease and wit of a seasoned pro. I hesitate to say that this is the most inventive retelling of Cinderella of our time, but if the slipper fits…"—Aaron Karo, author of Me You Us and Lexapros and Cons

". . . a spot-on modern version for contemporary teens, with an artful balance of serious insights about being true to oneself and riffs on pop culture. . . A fun, lighthearted YA retelling that's an especially strong choice for collections in need of LGBTQ romances."—School Library Journal

". . . Clawson has lots of clever, inventive fun with fairy-tale conventions. . . Chris, who tells the story in his own agreeable first-person voice, is a thoroughly likeable character, as is J.J." —Booklist

"Ingeniously plotted with a spectacular cast, My Fairy Godmother Is a Drag Queen is magical excellence."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
"Clawson clearly loves all of his characters, as they are eloquently drawn, with just as many reasons for readers to love them as faults. What ensues is a fast-paced, riotous, laugh-out-loud yet insightful story of secret love between two closeted gay teens, with Kimberly unknowingly serving as J.J.'s beard. —Kirkus Reviews

"A classic coming-of-age tale with a twist, My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen is funny, touching, and timely. Clawson explores issues like first love and fitting in with the ease and wit of a seasoned pro. I hesitate to say that this is the most inventive retelling of Cinderella of our time, but if the slipper fits…"—Aaron Karo, author of Me You Us and Lexapros and Cons

". . . a spot-on modern version for contemporary teens, with an artful balance of serious insights about being true to oneself and riffs on pop culture. . . A fun, lighthearted YA retelling that's an especially strong choice for collections in need of LGBTQ romances."—School Library Journal

". . . Clawson has lots of clever, inventive fun with fairy-tale conventions. . . Chris, who tells the story in his own agreeable first-person voice, is a thoroughly likeable character, as is J.J." —Booklist

"Ingeniously plotted with a spectacular cast, My Fairy Godmother Is a Drag Queen is magical excellence."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

Long Description

Chris Bellows is just trying to get through high school and survive being the only stepchild in the social-climbing Fontaine family, whose recently diminished fortune hasn't dimmed their desire to mingle with Upper East Side society. Chris sometimes feels more like a maid than part of the family. But when Chris's stepsister Kimberly begins dating golden boy J. J. Kennerly, heir to a political dynasty, everything changes. Because Chris and J. J. fall in love . . . with each other. With the help of a new friend, Coco Chanel Jones, Chris learns to be comfortable in his own skin, let himself fall in love and be loved, and discovers that maybe he was wrong about his step-family all along. All it takes is one fairy godmother dressed as Diana Ross to change the course of his life. My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen is a Cinderella retelling for the modern reader. The novel expertly balances issues like sexuality, family and financial troubles, and self-discovery with more lighthearted moments like how one rogue shoe can launch a secret, whirlwind romance and a chance meeting with a drag queen can spark magic and light in a once dark reality.

Review Quote

"Clawson clearly loves all of his characters, as they are eloquently drawn, with just as many reasons for readers to love them as faults. What ensues is a fast-paced, riotous, laugh-out-loud yet insightful story of secret love between two closeted gay teens, with Kimberly unknowingly serving as J.J.'s beard. -- Kirkus Reviews "A classic coming-of-age tale with a twist, My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen is funny, touching, and timely. Clawson explores issues like first love and fitting in with the ease and wit of a seasoned pro. I hesitate to say that this is the most inventive retelling of Cinderella of our time, but if the slipper fits..."--Aaron Karo, author of Me You Us and Lexapros and Cons ". . . a spot-on modern version for contemporary teens, with an artful balance of serious insights about being true to oneself and riffs on pop culture . . . A fun, lighthearted YA retelling that's an especially strong choice for collections in need of LGBTQ romances."-- School Library Journal ". . . Clawson has lots of clever, inventive fun with fairy-tale conventions. . . Chris, who tells the story in his own agreeable first-person voice, is a thoroughly likeable character, as is J.J." -- Booklist "Ingeniously plotted with a spectacular cast, My Fairy Godmother Is a Drag Queen is magical excellence."-- Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

Details